Random access method, communication device, and storage medium

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a random access method, a communication device, and a storage medium. The random access method is executed by a UE and may comprise: sending a first message to a network device, the first message being used to request random access; receiving a second message sent by the network device, the second message comprising one or more first uplink (UL) grants; on the basis of the first UL grant, sending a third message to the network device; receiving a fourth message sent by the network device on the basis of the third message; and receiving the fourth message, and sending a fifth message to the network device.

Description

Random access methods, communication equipment and storage media Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a random access method, communication device and storage medium. Background Technology

[0002] The main application scenarios for 5G are: Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC), and Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC). eMBB still aims to provide users with multimedia content, services, and data, and its demand is growing rapidly. On the other hand, because eMBB may be deployed in different scenarios, such as indoors, urban areas, and rural areas, its capabilities and needs vary considerably, so generalizations cannot be made; a detailed analysis based on the specific deployment scenario is necessary. Typical applications of URLLC include: industrial automation, power automation, remote medical operations (surgery), and traffic safety assurance. Typical characteristics of mMTC include: high connection density, small data volume, latency-insensitive services, low module cost, and long module lifespan.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a random access method, a communication device, and a storage medium.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a random access method is provided, wherein the method is executed by a UE, the method comprising: sending a first message to a network device, the first message being used to request random access; receiving a second message sent by the network device, the second message including one or more first uplink UL grants; sending a third message to the network device based on the first UL grant; receiving a fourth message sent by the network device based on the third message; and receiving the fourth message and sending a fifth message to the network device.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a random access method is provided, wherein the method is performed by a network device, the method comprising: receiving a first message sent by a user equipment (UE), the first message being used to request random access; sending a second message to the UE, the second message including one or more first uplink UL grants; receiving a third message sent by the UE based on the first UL grant; sending a fourth message to the UE based on the third message; and receiving a fifth message sent by the UE after receiving the fourth message.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a user equipment (UE) is provided, wherein the UE includes: a sending module configured to send a first message to a network device, the first message being used to request random access; a receiving module configured to receive a second message sent by the network device, the second message including one or more first uplink UL grants; a sending module configured to send a third message to the network device based on the first UL grant; a receiving module configured to receive a fourth message sent by the network device based on the third message; and a sending module configured to send a fifth message to the network device upon receiving the fourth message.

[0008] A network device is provided according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the network device includes: a receiving module configured to receive a first message sent by a user equipment (UE), the first message being used to request random access; a sending module configured to send a second message to the UE, the second message including one or more first uplink UL grants; a receiving module configured to receive a third message sent by the UE based on the first UL grant; a sending module configured to send a fourth message to the UE based on the third message; and a receiving module configured to receive a fifth message sent by the UE after receiving the fourth message.

[0009] A communication system is provided according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the communication system includes: a user equipment (UE) configured to perform the method described in any technical solution of the first aspect; and a network device configured to perform the method described in any technical solution of the second aspect.

[0010] A communication device is provided according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, wherein the communication device includes: one or more processors; wherein the processors are configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method provided by any of the techniques described in the first to second aspects.

[0011] A seventh aspect of the present disclosure provides a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method provided by any one of the first or second aspects.

[0012] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a program product is provided, wherein the program product includes a computer program, which, when executed by a communication device, enables the communication device to implement the method provided by any of the technical means of the first to second aspects.

[0013] The technical approach provided in this disclosure allows the UE to improve the effective utilization rate and flexibility of the random access preamble by no longer using the random access preamble to indicate the first beam determined by the UE during the random access process.

[0014] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of embodiments of this disclosure.

[0016] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0017] Figure 1B is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0018] Figure 1C is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0019] Figure 1D is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between a random access opportunity (RO), a synchronization signal (Physical Broadcast Channel, PBCH, SSB), and a random access preamble according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0020] Figure 1E is a schematic diagram illustrating configuration information according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0021] Figure 1F is a schematic diagram illustrating configuration information according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0022] Figure 1G is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between an SSB, a Random Access Channel (RACH) configuration period, and an SSB / RACH association period according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0023] Figure 1H is a schematic diagram illustrating configuration information according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0024] Figure 1I is a schematic diagram illustrating configuration information according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0025] Figure 1J is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2A is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0027] Figure 2B is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2C is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0029] Figure 2D is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0030] Figure 3A is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0031] Figure 3B is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0032] Figure 3C is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0033] Figure 3D is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0034] Figure 4A is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0035] Figure 4B is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0036] Figure 4C is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0037] Figure 4D is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0038] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a user equipment (UE) according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0039] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0040] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0041] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip according to an exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0042] This disclosure provides a random access method, a communication device, a communication system, and a storage medium.

[0043] A first aspect provides a random access method, wherein the method is executed by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: sending a first message to a network device, the first message being used to request random access; receiving a second message sent by the network device, the second message including one or more first uplink UL grants; sending a third message to the network device based on the first UL grant; receiving a fourth message sent by the network device based on the third message; and receiving the fourth message and sending a fifth message to the network device.

[0044] Based on the above scheme, the UE can improve the effective utilization rate and flexibility of the random access preamble by no longer using the random access preamble to indicate the first beam determined by the UE during the random access process.

[0045] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the third message includes first information; or, the fifth message includes first information; the first information is used to indicate a first synchronization signal broadcast block (SSB); the first SSB is associated with a first beam selected by the UE.

[0046] Based on the above scheme, the UE uses the third message or the fifth message to carry the first information indicating the first beam, thereby improving the effective utilization rate of the random access preamble and enhancing the flexibility of the random access preamble.

[0047] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the first information includes at least one of the following: an SSB index for indicating the first SSB; a first number for indicating the number of the first SSB in the full set of SSBs; a second number for indicating the number of the first SSB in a first subset of SSBs, the first subset of SSBs being associated with a first access locator (RO); and the first RO being the RO in which the UE sends the first message.

[0048] Based on the above scheme, the first information indicates one or more of the SSB index, the first number, or the second number, which has the advantage of being easy to indicate.

[0049] In some embodiments of the first aspect, wherein, when the third message includes the first information, the third message includes the second information; or, when the third message includes the first information, the third message carries a first portion of the second information, and the fifth message carries a second portion of the second information.

[0050] Based on the above scheme, the method of determining how to carry the first information with or without extended bit overhead is simple to implement and can meet the flexible use requirements in different scenarios.

[0051] In some embodiments of the first aspect, when the UE enters the RRC connected state from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC establishment request message, and the second information is the UE's identification information; or,

[0052] When the UE enters the RRC connected state from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC connection restoration request message, and the second information is either the restoration reason bit or the UE's identification information; or,

[0053] When the UE restores the radio link through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC re-establishment request message, and the second information is the re-establishment reason, the UE's identification information, or the cell identifier.

[0054] Based on the above scheme, specific message types for the third message are given under different circumstances, and it has strong compatibility with related technologies.

[0055] In some embodiments of the first aspect, a first random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) is determined based on the index or number of a first SSB; the first SSB is the SSB associated with the first beam used by the UE to send the first message; the first beam is the beam by which the UE sends the first message.

[0056] The step of sending a third message to the network device based on the first UL authorization includes: determining a second UL authorization, wherein the second UL authorization is the UL authorization associated with the first RA-RNTI in the first UL authorization; and sending a third message to the network device based on the second UL authorization.

[0057] Based on the above scheme, a third message is sent using a second UL grant associated with the first RA-RNTI. Thus, the network device can know the good beam (i.e., the first beam) determined by the UE based on the second UL grant used by the UE, without needing explicit indication via specific bits, resulting in low bit overhead. In some embodiments of the first aspect, the SSB associated with different first UL grants is different; sending a third message to the network device based on the first UL grant includes: determining a second UL grant associated with the first SSB; sending the third message to the network device using the second UL grant; the first SSB is the SSB associated with the beam used by the UE to send the first message; the first beam is the beam used by the UE to send the first message.

[0058] Based on the above scheme, the SSB associated with the first UE authorization selects the second UL authorization to send the third message. Similarly, the network device can know the good beam (i.e. the first beam) determined by the UE based on the second UL authorization used by the UE, without needing to explicitly indicate it through specific bits, which has the characteristic of low bit overhead.

[0059] In some embodiments of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving configuration information sent by the network device, the configuration information including a first parameter but not including a second parameter; the first parameter being used to determine the SSB associated with each RO; and the second parameter being used to determine the RO and / or SSB associated with the random access preamble.

[0060] Based on the above scheme, the configuration information does not include a second parameter, which can save bit overhead.

[0061] In some embodiments of the first aspect, downlink transmissions sent by network devices are received on the first beam.

[0062] Based on the above scheme, receiving downlink transmissions on the first beam can save UE power consumption, and since the first beam is a good beam, transmission quality can be ensured.

[0063] A second aspect provides a random access method, performed by a network device, the method comprising: receiving a first message sent by a user equipment (UE), the first message being used to request random access; sending a second message to the UE, the second message including one or more first uplink UL grants; receiving a third message sent by the UE based on the first UL grant; sending a fourth message to the UE based on the third message; and receiving a fifth message sent by the UE after receiving the fourth message.

[0064] In some embodiments of the second aspect, sending the second message to the UE includes:

[0065] The second message is transmitted using N second beams, wherein the N second beams are associated with SSBs in the first synchronization signal broadcast block SSB subset; each SSB in the first SSB subset is associated with a first random access opportunity (RO); the first RO is the RO in which the UE transmits the first message.

[0066] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the third message includes first information; the first information is used to indicate a first synchronization signal broadcast block (SSB); the first SSB is associated with a first beam selected by the UE.

[0067] In some embodiments of the second aspect, sending a fourth message to the UE based on the third message includes: sending the fourth message using the N second beams.

[0068] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the fifth message includes first information; the first information is used to indicate a first synchronization signal broadcast block (SSB); the first SSB is associated with a first beam selected by the UE.

[0069] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the method includes: determining one or more second random access radio network temporary identifiers (RA-RNTIs) based on the number or index of each SSB associated with the RO; in a second message, the second RA-RNTIs associated with different first UL grants are different; determining a first RNTI from the second RA-RNTIs based on the second UL grant used by the UE to send a third message; the second UL grant being the UL grant associated with the first RA-RNTI in the first UL grant; and determining a first beam selected by the UE based on the first RA-RNTI.

[0070] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the SSBs associated with different first UL licenses are different; the method further includes: determining the first SSB based on the second UL license used by the UE to send the third message; and determining the first beam selected by the UE based on the first SSB.

[0071] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending configuration information to a user equipment (UE), the configuration information including a first parameter but not including a second parameter; the first parameter being used to determine the SSB associated with each RO; and the second parameter being used to determine the RO and / or SSB associated with the random access preamble.

[0072] In some embodiments of the second aspect, the method further includes: transmitting downlink transmissions to the UE on the first beam.

[0073] A third aspect provides a user equipment (UE), wherein the UE packet comprises: a sending module configured to send a first message to a network device, the first message being used to request random access; a receiving module configured to receive a second message sent by the network device, the second message including one or more first uplink UL grants; a sending module configured to send a third message to the network device based on the first UL grant; a receiving module configured to receive a fourth message sent by the network device based on the third message; and a sending module configured to send a fifth message to the network device upon receiving the fourth message.

[0074] A fourth aspect provides a network device, wherein the network device includes: a receiving module configured to receive a first message sent by a user equipment (UE), the first message being used to request random access; a sending module configured to send a second message to the UE, the second message including one or more first uplink UL grants; a receiving module configured to receive a third message sent by the UE based on the first UL grant; a sending module configured to send a fourth message to the UE based on the third message; and a receiving module configured to receive a fifth message sent by the UE after receiving the fourth message.

[0075] The fifth aspect provides a communication system, wherein the communication system includes: a UE configured to perform the method provided by any technical solution of the first aspect; and a network device configured to perform the method provided by any technical solution of the second aspect.

[0076] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product, wherein the program product includes a computer program, which, when executed by a communication device, enables the communication device to perform the methods described in the optional implementations of the first to second aspects.

[0077] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the random access method described in optional implementations of the first to second aspects.

[0078] It is understood that the aforementioned first device, network device, communication system, program product, and computer program are all used to execute the methods provided in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0079] This disclosure provides a random access method, communication device, communication system, and storage medium. The embodiments of this disclosure are not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementations in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with optional implementations of other embodiments.

[0080] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0081] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0082] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the aforementioned," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0083] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0084] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0085] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "A in one case, B in another", etc., may include the following technical methods depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (A is executed regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (B is executed regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0086] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical approaches, depending on the circumstances: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, selective execution from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0087] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. As another example, if the object being described is "information", then "first type of information" and "second type of information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0088] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0089] In some embodiments, terms such as “…”, “determine…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “when…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0090] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0091] In some embodiments, devices, etc., can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as “device”, “equipment”, “circuit”, “network element”, “node”, “function”, “unit”, “section”, “system”, “network”, “chip”, “chip system”, “entity”, and “subject” can be used interchangeably.

[0092] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as network-side devices or network functions, such as access network devices and core network devices.

[0093] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving node," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0094] In some embodiments, the terms "UE (terminal)," "UE device (terminal device)," "user equipment (UE)," "user UE (user terminal)," "mobile station (MS)," "mobile UE (MT)," "subscriber station," "mobile unit," "subscriber unit," "wireless unit," "remote unit," "mobile device," "wireless device," "wireless communication device," "remote device," "mobile subscriber station," "access UE," "mobile UE," "wireless terminal," "remote UE," "handset," "user agent," "mobile client," and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0095] In some embodiments, the access network device, core network device, or network device can be replaced by a UE. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between the access network device, core network device, or network device and the UE is replaced by communication between multiple UEs (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the UE can also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between UEs (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0096] In some embodiments, the UE can be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, it can also be configured such that the access network device, core network device, or network device has all or some of the functions of the UE.

[0097] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0098] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0099] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0100] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0101] As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102. The network device 102 may include access network equipment and / or core network equipment. The terminal may also be referred to as a UE.

[0102] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) UE device, augmented reality (AR) UE device, wireless UE device in industrial control, wireless UE device in self-driving, wireless UE device in remote medical surgery, wireless UE device in smart grid, wireless UE device in transportation safety, wireless UE device in smart city, and wireless UE device in smart home.

[0103] In some embodiments, UE is also referred to as User Equipment (UE).

[0104] In some embodiments, the access network device may be a node or device that connects the UE to the wireless network. The access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next generation eNB (ng-eNB), next generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a Wi-Fi system.

[0105] In some embodiments, the technical methods of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0106] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0107] In some embodiments, the core network equipment can be a single device, including a first network element, or it can be multiple devices or a group of devices, each including a first network element. Network elements can be virtual or physical. The core network includes, for example, at least one of an Evolved Packet Core (EPC), a 5G Core Network (5GCN), and a Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0108] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical methods of this disclosure and does not constitute a limitation on the technical methods provided in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical methods provided in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0109] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1A, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1A are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1A, or it may include other main bodies outside of FIG1A. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0110] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), and IEEE 802.20, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), Bluetooth (a registered trademark), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) networks, Device-to-Device (D2D) systems, Machine-to-Machine (M2M) systems, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) systems, systems utilizing configuration methods of other resources, and next-generation systems extended from them, etc. Furthermore, multiple systems can be combined (e.g., LTE and NR can be combined).

[0111] In New Radio (NR), in addition to the normal uplink (NUL) carrier, a supplementary uplink (SUL) frequency is introduced in a cell. The motivation is to improve uplink coverage in the high-frequency band of NR. UE uplink power is limited, and the NR spectrum (high frequency, high propagation loss) has relatively high frequencies, thus limiting uplink coverage. To improve uplink coverage, the LTE spectrum (relatively lower frequency) is used for uplink, which can enhance uplink coverage.

[0112] Two ULs and one DL belong to the same cell, and at most one PUSCH can be transmitted at any given time. Unless the network explicitly instructs the UE to use a specific UL, the UE determines the UL selection based on a measurement threshold. This threshold is configured and broadcast in the system broadcast. Dynamic switching between the two UL carriers is possible, indicated by the DCI.

[0113] Both NUL and SUL are configured with a set of independent Random Access Channel (RACH) resource configurations. For example, the random access preambles for different carriers are configured independently, as are the RO resource configurations or independent RACH control parameter configurations, etc.

[0114] In some embodiments, the UE typically sends Msg1 to the network side, receives Msg2 from the network device, sends Msg3 to the network device, and receives Msg4 from the network device, all within a single cell.

[0115] first step:

[0116] The terminal can determine the relationship between the SSB, PRACH resources, and random access preamble based on the higher-layer configuration. PRACH resources can also be called RACH resources. These PRACH resources may include one or more ROs.

[0117] Receive a set of SSBs and determine their Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) values, and select an appropriate SSB based on the threshold.

[0118] The range of RACH resources and random access preamble resources is determined based on the selected SSB and the correspondence between SSB and RACH resources.

[0119] Select a random access preamble group based on the size of Msg3; then randomly select a random access preamble.

[0120] Set target receive power: Random access preamble ReceivedTargetPower + DELTA_PREAMBLE + (PREAMBLE_POWER_RAMPING_COUNTER – 1) × powerRampingStep;

[0121] Transmit the sequence of the selected random access preamble on the PRACH time-frequency domain resources.

[0122] The random access preamble ReceivedTargetPower represents the target received power. powerRampingStep represents power ramp-up compensation. (PREAMBLE_POWER_RAMPING_COUNTE represents the power ramp-up counter. DELTA_PREAMBLE represents the offset.)

[0123] Step Two:

[0124] The Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RA-RNTI) is determined based on the PRACH time-frequency domain resources transmitted for Msg1; the RA-RNTI is calculated as follows: RA-RNTI = 1 + s_id + 14 × t_id + 14 × 80 × f_id + 14 × 80 × 8 × ul_carrier_id. The variables involved are explained below:

[0125] s_id is used to indicate the index of the first OFDM symbol of the specified PRACH (0 ≤ s_id < 14). For example, 0 ≤ s_id < 14.

[0126] t_id is used to indicate the index of the first slot of the specified PRACH in a system frame. For example, 0 ≤ t_id < 80.

[0127] f_id is used to indicate the frequency domain location of the PRACH resource. For example, 0 ≤ f_id < 8.

[0128] The ul_carrier_id is used to indicate the uplink carrier used for Msg1 transmission. For example, a value of 0 for ul_carrier_id means that Msg1 is transmitted using the primary carrier; otherwise, a supplementary uplink carrier (SUL) is used to transmit Msg1.

[0129] The UE opens the Random Access Response (RAR) window (ra-Response Window) at the first PDCCH timing after sending the random access preamble, and listens for the RA-RNTI scrambled PDCCH during the operation of this window in order to receive the corresponding RA-RNTI RAR.

[0130] If no RAR is received within the RAR monitoring window, or if no RAR corresponding to the RAP ID of the transmitted random access preamble is received, a power ramp is performed to retransmit Msg1. In some cases, whether a power ramp is performed is related to whether a beam is switched.

[0131] If a RAR is received within the RAR monitoring window, and if it is the first time a RAR has been received, the MAC PDU is retrieved from the RAR and cached in Msg3 memory as such.

[0132] Step 3:

[0133] If the UE does not discover its own C-RNTI, the execution of the RACH is triggered by the CCCH, and Msg3 is the MAC PDU generated from the CCCH SDU input. If the UE has its own C-RNTI, then Msg3 is the MAC PDU generated from the C-RNTI MAC CE. The MAC PDU is retrieved from the Msg3 buffer and transmitted based on the UL authorization in the RAR. After Msg3 is transmitted, a Random Access Contention Resolution Timer (ra-ContentionResolutionTimer) is started, and the UE listens for the PDCCH during the timer's operation. If Msg3 contains the C-RNTI MAC CE, the UE listens for the PDCCH scrambled with that C-RNTI; if Msg3 does not contain the C-RNTI MAC CE, the UE listens for a temporary C-RNTI and receives Msg4. When Msg3 performs HARQ retransmission, the timer is restarted; the UE will continue to listen to the PDCCH until the timer expires or stops; Msg3 HARQ retransmission is scrambling and scheduled based on temporary C-RNTI.

[0134] Step 4: Conflict Resolution

[0135] If Msg3 contains a C-RNTI MAC CE, the UE listens for the PDCCH scrambled with that C-RNTI. If it detects the scrambled CE, the UE considers the conflict resolution successful; otherwise, it considers the conflict resolution unsuccessful. If Msg3 does not contain a C-RNTI MAC CE, the UE listens for the Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) and receives Msg4. If Msg4 is received and matches the CCCH SDU, the conflict resolution is successful; otherwise, it fails. If the conflict resolution fails, the UE performs a power ramp and retransmits Msg.

[0136] If conflict resolution fails, the UE will retransmit Msg1 after power ramping.

[0137] In DL common signals or information, the UE receives downlink common signals or information under the measured superior beam. When the UE initially accesses the network, it needs to notify the network of its selected superior beam so that the network can send dedicated data to the UE under that beam. To notify the network of the uplink superior beam direction, the NR system associates the RO and / or random access preamble with the SSB during the RACH design process. The UE uses Msg1 (i.e., the selected RO resource and / or random access preamble) sent by the UE to indicate to the network which SSB the selected superior DL ​​beam is.

[0138] In some embodiments, the SSB-per-RO parameter configuration is used to set the ratio between an SSB and an RO. For example, the parameter configuration is shown as ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB. When ssb-perRACH-Occasion>1, one RO resource is associated with multiple SSBs. In this case, it is not possible to determine which SSB the UE selects as the superior DL ​​beam solely based on the RO resource. Therefore, a random access preamble needs to be added to associate it with the SSB to further distinguish the superior DL ​​beam selected by the UE.

[0139] Figure 1B illustrates the Contention-Based Random Access (CBRA) process, while Figure 1C illustrates the Contention-Free Random Access (CFRA) process. Figure 1D is a schematic diagram of the relationship between SSB, RO, and random access preamble. In Figure 1D, the parameter prach_FDM represents the number of Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) ROs, i.e., the number of ROs at a time domain location but different frequency domain locations. Figure 1G illustrates the relationship between SSB and RACH configuration periods, and the SSB / RACH association period in the time domain. The RACH configuration period can be the period of the RO, while the SSB / RACH association period can contain one or more RACH configuration periods.

[0140] Figure 1E illustrates a schematic diagram of random access preamble allocation. As can be seen from the figure, in some cases, the SSB and the random access preamble are associated. However, some random access preambles are needed for other purposes, such as requesting System Information (SI). Therefore, in such cases, associating the SSB and the random access preamble can lead to a shortage of random access preamble resources.

[0141] As shown in Figure 2A, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides a random access method, which is executed by the communication system shown in Figure 1A. The method may include:

[0142] S2101: The network device sends configuration information to the UE.

[0143] In some embodiments, the network device may be the aforementioned base station.

[0144] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a first parameter.

[0145] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a first parameter but does not include a second parameter.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first parameter is used to determine the SSB associated with each RO; the second parameter is used to determine the RO and / or SSB associated with the random access preamble. Figure 1F shows a schematic diagram of configuration information.

[0147] For example, the first parameter can be ssb-perRACH-Occasion. The first parameter can be an enumerated type parameter, used to exemplify the number of ROs associated with an SSB. For example, the second parameter can be ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB, relating to the number of random access preambles associated with an RO, or the number of random access preambles associated with an SSB. Figure 1H shows the first parameter. Figure 1I can be a schematic diagram of configuration information that includes both the first and second parameters.

[0148] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the configuration information does not have a second parameter configured; or the configuration information does not have a valid second parameter configured. For example, although the configuration information does have a second parameter configured, the UE will ignore the second parameter.

[0149] S2102: The UE sends the first message to the network device.

[0150] In some embodiments, the UE selects a first Remote Access Request (RO) based on configuration information and sends a first message to the network device on the first RO. The first message is a random access request. Exemplarily, the first message includes a random access preamble randomly selected by the UE.

[0151] In some embodiments, when a UE has a random access request, the UE sends a first message to the network device.

[0152] In some embodiments, the first message (Msg1) may be the first message sent by the UE to the base station during the random access process. The first message includes a random access preamble and a random access channel (RACH) message.

[0153] The random access preamble is used to trigger the base station's random access response, while the RACH message carries the UE's identity information and the type of connection request.

[0154] S2103: The network device sends a second message to the UE.

[0155] In some embodiments, the second message includes one or more first uplink UL authorizations.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first UL authorization may be any UL authorization assigned to the network device for sending a third message.

[0157] In some embodiments, Msg2 is the base station's response to Msg1.

[0158] It contains a Random Access Response (RAR) message, which provides the UE with uplink resource allocation, time adjustment instructions, power control instructions, and one or more temporary UE identifiers.

[0159] In some embodiments, an RO is associated with N second beams. If a UE uses a first RO to send a first message, the network device uses the N second beams associated with that first RO to send a second message. In some embodiments, the N second beams are associated with an SSB in a subset of the first synchronization signal broadcast block (SSB).

[0160] In some embodiments, each SSB in the first SSB subset is associated with a first random access opportunity (RO); the first RO is the RO in which the UE sends the first message.

[0161] S2104: The UE sends a third message to the network device.

[0162] In some embodiments, Msg3 contains first information that indicates a specific synchronization signal broadcast block (SSB), namely the first SSB.

[0163] The first SSB is associated with the first beam selected by the UE during the random access process.

[0164] The first information may include at least one of the following:

[0165] SSB Index: Directly indicates the identifier of the first SSB or is an index based on network device configuration.

[0166] First ID: A unique ID in the complete set of SSBs, used to identify the first SSB.

[0167] The second number: The number within the first SSB subset, which is associated with the random access opportunity (RO) used by the UE when sending the first message (Msg1). If Msg3 carries an SSB index, the network device can directly retrieve the corresponding first SSB through that index.

[0168] To reduce signaling overhead, Msg3 may choose to use either the first or second number instead of the full SSB index.

[0169] When numbering ROs, either time domain first and then frequency domain or frequency domain first and then time domain can be used, depending on the system design and implementation.

[0170] Since the number of SSBs associated with a RO is usually limited and smaller than the total number of SSBs, using the second number (in a smaller subset of SSBs) generally has less bit overhead than using the first number (in the entire set).

[0171] If Msg3 contains the first piece of information, it may also contain the second piece of information. This depends on the specific implementation and scenario requirements.

[0172] In some embodiments, Msg3 directly contains the complete content of the second information.

[0173] In some other embodiments, Msg3 contains only the first part of the second information, while the second part is transmitted through subsequent messages (such as the fifth message, which may refer to a message after Msg4, but is not explicitly mentioned in the original text, so the original wording is retained).

[0174] The content of Msg3 will vary depending on the state of the UE:

[0175] When a UE enters the RRC connected state from the RRC idle state through a random access procedure, Msg3 sends an RRC establishment request message.

[0176] When a UE recovers an RRC connection from an inactive RRC state through a random access procedure, Msg3 is an RRC connection recovery request message.

[0177] When the UE restores the radio link through a random access procedure, Msg3 is an RRC re-establishment request message.

[0178] Msg3 is the UE's response to Msg2, and it is the third message in the random access procedure. It carries a connection request message, which contains more identity information about the UE and the reason for establishing the connection (such as call initiation, paging response, etc.).

[0179] In some embodiments, the third message may include first information and second information.

[0180] In other embodiments, the third message includes first information and a portion of second information. For example, the third message includes the first information and a first portion of the second information, and the fifth information includes a second portion of the second information.

[0181] In some embodiments, the third message includes the first information but does not contain the second information.

[0182] The third message and the second message differ for different RRC states.

[0183] When a UE enters the RRC connected state from the RRC idle state through a random access procedure, Msg3 is an RRC establishment request message. At this time, the second information contained in Msg3 is the UE's identification information.

[0184] When a UE recovers an RRC connection from an inactive RRC state through a random access procedure, Msg3 is an RRC connection recovery request message. At this time, the second information contained in Msg3 is either a bit representation of the recovery reason or the UE's identification information.

[0185] When the UE restores the radio link through the random access procedure, Msg3 is an RRC re-establishment request message. At this time, the second information contained in Msg3 is at least one of the re-establishment reason, UE identification information or cell identification.

[0186] In some embodiments, to optimize the message structure or meet specific transmission requirements, the second information can be split into two parts for transmission:

[0187] The first part of the second information may contain the information carried by the high-order bits of the second information.

[0188] The second part of the second information may include the information carried by the low-order bits of the second information.

[0189] Alternatively, depending on the specific implementation method, it can be reversed:

[0190] The second part of the second information may include the information carried by the high-order bits of the second information.

[0191] The first part of the second information may contain the information carried by the low-order bits of the second information.

[0192] Regarding the UE's identification information, it can be a temporary identity identifier and / or a permanent identity identifier. Permanent identity identifiers may include, but are not limited to, the following types: Product Identifier, International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMI); International Mobile Identity Token (IMToken); Temporary Mobile Identity Token (TMS); Permanent Subscription Token. Please note that the above-listed identity identifier types are not exhaustive; other types of identity identifiers may be included in actual use.

[0193] Regarding cell identifiers, they can include identifiers at different levels of the cell that the UE requests to access, such as: physical layer identifiers, such as physical cell identifier (PCI); MAC layer identifiers; and RRC layer identifiers.

[0194] S2105: The network device sends a fourth message to the UE.

[0195] In some embodiments, the network device sends a fourth message (Msg4) to the UE based on the content of the received third message (Msg3).

[0196] Msg4 is a Connection Setup message sent by the base station to the UE as a response to Msg3.

[0197] Msg4 contains all the parameters required to establish an RRC connection, such as security algorithm configuration, explicit instructions for establishing an RRC connection, and other relevant configuration information.

[0198] Based on the information carried in Msg3 (especially the first information), the network device can determine and send Msg4 to the UE using the first beam (usually the UE's "good beam", i.e., a beam whose quality is higher than a preset threshold).

[0199] S2106: The UE sends the fifth message to the network device.

[0200] Msg5 is sent by the UE to the base station as an explicit response to Msg4.

[0201] The transmission of Msg5 indicates that the UE has successfully received Msg4 and may contain other relevant control information or status feedback.

[0202] In some embodiments, after the network device determines the first beam, the network device will send downlink transmissions on the first beam, for example, sending a fourth message, etc.

[0203] After successfully establishing an RRC connection, the network device will send downlink transmissions to the UE on the previously determined first beam.

[0204] The downlink transmission may include downlink signaling (for further configuration or control instructions) and / or downlink service data (user data or application data).

[0205] As shown in Figure 2B, the random access method disclosed in this embodiment is executed by the communication system shown in Figure 1A. The method specifically includes the following steps:

[0206] S2201: The network device sends configuration information to the UE.

[0207] Network devices (such as base stations) send configuration information to the UE.

[0208] The configuration information includes a first parameter for determining the synchronization signal broadcast block (SSB) associated with each random access opportunity (RO).

[0209] It is worth noting that this configuration information does not include a second parameter, which is typically used to determine the association between the random access preamble and the RO and / or SSB. In this embodiment, even if the configuration information might contain a second parameter, the UE will choose to ignore it.

[0210] S2202: The UE sends the first message to the network device.

[0211] Based on the received configuration information, the UE selects an RO and sends a first message (Msg1) to the network device on this RO. This message is a random access request.

[0212] Msg1 contains a random access preamble randomly selected by the UE, as well as a RACH message, which carries the UE's identity information and the type of connection request.

[0213] S2203: The network device sends a second message to the UE.

[0214] The network device sends a second message (Msg2) to the UE as a response to Msg1.

[0215] Msg2 contains a Random Access Response (RAR) message, which provides the UE with uplink resource allocation, time adjustment instructions, power control instructions, and one or more temporary UE identifiers.

[0216] S2204: The network device sends a third message to the UE.

[0217] The UE sends a third message (Msg3) to the network device as a reply to Msg2.

[0218] Msg3 carries a connection request message, which contains more identity information of the UE and the reason for establishing the connection (such as call initialization, paging response, etc.).

[0219] Depending on the UE's state (RRC idle state, RRC inactive state, or radio link recovery process), Msg3 may be an RRC establishment request message, an RRC connection recovery request message, or an RRC re-establishment request message.

[0220] S2205: The network device sends a fourth message to the UE.

[0221] Based on the content of Msg3, the network device sends a fourth message (Msg4) to the UE.

[0222] Msg4 is a connection setup message that contains various parameters required to establish an RRC connection, such as security algorithm configuration, instructions for establishing an RRC connection, and other relevant configuration information.

[0223] It is worth noting that if the UE uses a certain RO to send Msg1, the network device may use N second beams associated with that RO (these beams are associated with a specific subset of SSBs) to send Msg4.

[0224] S2206: The UE sends the fifth message to the network device.

[0225] The UE sends a fifth message (Msg5) to the network device in response to Msg4.

[0226] Msg5 may contain confirmation of Msg4 reception, as well as other possible control information.

[0227] In some embodiments, Msg5 includes first information indicating a specific SSB (which is associated with a first beam selected by the UE). The first information may include an SSB index, a number in the full set of SSBs, or a number in a specific subset of SSBs.

[0228] S2207: The network device sends a downlink transmission to the UE.

[0229] The network device sends downlink transmissions to the UE on the first beam.

[0230] The downlink transmission may contain downlink signaling and / or downlink service data.

[0231] It is worth noting that the embodiments shown in Figures 2A and 2B implement the indication of the good beam determined by the UE by carrying the first information in the message during the random access process.

[0232] As shown in Figure 2C, this embodiment of the disclosure provides a random access method, which is executed by the communication system shown in Figure 1A. The method may include:

[0233] S2301: The network device sends configuration information to the UE.

[0234] In some embodiments, the network device may be the aforementioned base station.

[0235] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a first parameter.

[0236] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a first parameter but does not include a second parameter.

[0237] In some embodiments, the first parameter is used to determine the SSB associated with each RO; the second parameter is used to determine the RO and / or SSB associated with the random access preamble.

[0238] For example, the first parameter can be ssb-perRACH-Occasion. The first parameter can be an enumerated type parameter, which can be used to exemplify the number of ROs associated with an SSB. For example, the second parameter can be ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB, which relates to the number of random access preambles associated with an RO, or the number of random access preambles associated with an SSB.

[0239] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the configuration information does not have a second parameter configured; or the configuration information does not have a valid second parameter configured. For example, although the configuration information does have a second parameter configured, the UE will ignore the second parameter.

[0240] S2302: The UE sends the first message to the network device.

[0241] In some embodiments, the UE selects a first Remote Access Request (RO) based on configuration information and sends a first message to the network device on the first RO. The first message is a random access request. Exemplarily, the first message includes a random access preamble randomly selected by the UE.

[0242] In some embodiments, when a UE has a random access request, the UE sends a first message to the network device.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first message (Msg1) may be the first message sent by the UE to the base station during the random access process. The first message includes a random access preamble and a random access channel (RACH) message.

[0244] The random access preamble is used to trigger the base station's random access response, while the RACH message carries the UE's identity information and the type of connection request.

[0245] S2303: The network device sends a second message to the UE.

[0246] In some embodiments, the second message includes one or more first uplink UL authorizations.

[0247] In some embodiments, the first UL authorization may be any UL authorization assigned to the network device for sending a third message.

[0248] In some embodiments, Msg2 is the base station's response to Msg1.

[0249] It contains a Random Access Response (RAR) message, which provides the UE with uplink resource allocation, time adjustment instructions, power control instructions, and one or more temporary UE identifiers.

[0250] In some embodiments, the second RA-RNTI associated with the first UL authorization is different in the second message.

[0251] In some embodiments, one or more second random access wireless network temporary identifiers (RA-RNTIs) are determined based on the number or index of each SSB associated with the RO.

[0252] In some embodiments, the second RA-RNTI is calculated using the following formula:

[0253] 1+s_id+14×t_id+14×80×f_id+14×80×8×ul_carrier_id+14×80×8×2×SSB_order_index.

[0254] In some embodiments, s_id is the index of the first OFDM symbol of the frequency division RO. t_id is the index of the first time slot containing the RO in the radio frame where the RO is located. f_id is the frequency domain index of the RO. ul_carrier_id is used to indicate whether the uplink carrier of the RO used in the first message is a UL carrier or a SUL carrier. In some embodiments, SSB_order_index is used to indicate the index or number of the SSB associated with the RO that sent the first message.

[0255] S2304: The UE sends a third message to the network device using the second UL authorization.

[0256] In some embodiments, a first random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) is determined based on the index or number of a first SSB; the first SSB is the SSB associated with the first beam used by the UE to send the first message; the first beam is the beam through which the UE sends the first message.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first RA-RNTI is calculated using the following formula:

[0258] 1+s_id+14×t_id+14×80×f_id+14×80×8×ul_carrier_id+14×80×8×2×SSB_order_index.

[0259] In some embodiments, s_id is the index of the first OFDM symbol of the frequency division RO. t_id is the index of the first time slot containing the RO in the radio frame where the RO is located. f_id is the frequency domain index of the RO. ul_carrier_id is used to indicate whether the uplink carrier of the RO used in the first message is a UL carrier or a SUL carrier. In some embodiments, SSB_order_index is used to indicate the index or number of the SSB associated with the RO that sent the first message.

[0260] In some embodiments, a second UL authorization associated with a first SSB is determined. The first SSB is the SSB associated with the beam used by the UE to transmit the first message; the first beam is the beam through which the UE transmits the first message.

[0261] In some embodiments, where the third message includes the first information, the third message includes the second information.

[0262] In some embodiments, where the third message includes the first information, the third message carries a first portion of the second information, and the fifth message carries a second portion of the second information.

[0263] In some embodiments, when the UE enters the RRC connected state from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC establishment request message, and the second information is the UE's identification information.

[0264] In some embodiments, when the UE enters the RRC connected state from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC connection recovery request message, and the second information is the bit of the recovery reason or the UE's identification information.

[0265] In some embodiments, when the UE restores the radio link through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC re-establishment request message, and the second information is the re-establishment reason, the UE's identification information, or the cell identifier.

[0266] In some embodiments, Msg3 is the UE's response to Msg2 and is the third message in the random access procedure.

[0267] The third message is the Connection Request message, which contains more identity information about the UE and the reason for establishing the connection (such as call initialization, paging response, etc.).

[0268] S2305: The network device sends a fourth message to the UE.

[0269] In some embodiments, the network device sends a fourth message to the UE based on the third message.

[0270] In some embodiments, Msg4 is a connection setup message sent by the base station to the UE, which is a response to Msg3.

[0271] In some embodiments, parameters required to establish an RRC connection are included, such as security algorithm configuration, instructions for establishing an RRC connection, and other configuration information.

[0272] In some embodiments, the network device uses the first beam to send a fourth message to the UE.

[0273] In some embodiments, the network device determines one or more second random access radio network temporary identifiers (RA-RNTIs) based on the number or index of each SSB in the first SSB subset associated with the first RO; in the second message, the second RA-RNTIs associated with different first UL grants are different. The network device determines the first RNTI from the second RA-RNTI based on the second UL grant used by the UE to send the third message; based on the first RA-RNTI, it determines the first beam selected by the UE. Here, the first beam is the good beam.

[0274] In some embodiments, after the network device determines the first beam based on the UL authorization used in the third message, it can use the first beam to send the fourth message to the UE.

[0275] S2306: The UE sends the fifth message to the network device.

[0276] In some embodiments, Msg5 is sent by the UE to the base station as a response to Msg4. Exemplarily, the fifth message is used to receive the fourth message and may contain other control information.

[0277] In some embodiments, after the network device determines the first beam, the network device will send downlink transmissions on the first beam, for example, sending a fourth message, etc.

[0278] After successfully establishing an RRC connection, the network device will send downlink transmissions to the UE on the previously determined first beam.

[0279] The downlink transmission may include downlink signaling (for further configuration or control instructions) and / or downlink service data (user data or application data).

[0280] As shown in Figure 2D, this embodiment of the disclosure provides a random access method, which is executed by the communication system shown in Figure 1A. The method may include:

[0281] S2401: The network device sends configuration information to the UE.

[0282] In some embodiments, the network device may be the aforementioned base station.

[0283] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a first parameter.

[0284] In some embodiments, the configuration information includes a first parameter but does not include a second parameter.

[0285] In some embodiments, the first parameter is used to determine the SSB associated with each RO; the second parameter is used to determine the RO and / or SSB associated with the random access preamble.

[0286] For example, the first parameter can be ssb-perRACH-Occasion. The first parameter can be an enumerated type parameter, which can be used to exemplify the number of ROs associated with an SSB. For example, the second parameter can be ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB, which relates to the number of random access preambles associated with an RO, or the number of random access preambles associated with an SSB.

[0287] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the configuration information does not have a second parameter configured; or the configuration information does not have a valid second parameter configured. For example, although the configuration information does have a second parameter configured, the UE will ignore the second parameter.

[0288] S2402: The UE sends the first message to the network device.

[0289] In some embodiments, the UE selects a first Remote Access Request (RO) based on configuration information and sends a first message to the network device on the first RO. The first message is a random access request. Exemplarily, the first message includes a random access preamble randomly selected by the UE.

[0290] In some embodiments, when a UE has a random access request, the UE sends a first message to the network device.

[0291] In some embodiments, the first message (Msg1) may be the first message sent by the UE to the base station during the random access process. The first message includes a random access preamble and a random access channel (RACH) message.

[0292] The random access preamble is used to trigger the base station's random access response, while the RACH message carries the UE's identity information and the type of connection request.

[0293] S2403: The network device sends a second message to the UE.

[0294] In some embodiments, the second message includes one or more first uplink UL authorizations.

[0295] In some embodiments, the first UL authorization may be any UL authorization assigned to the network device for sending a third message.

[0296] In some embodiments, Msg2 is the base station's response to Msg1.

[0297] It contains a Random Access Response (RAR) message, which provides the UE with uplink resource allocation, time adjustment instructions, power control instructions, and one or more temporary UE identifiers.

[0298] In some embodiments, the SSB associated with the first UL authorization is different.

[0299] S2404: The UE sends a third message to the network device using the second UL authorization.

[0300] In some embodiments, a second UL authorization associated with the first SSB is determined based on the association between the SSB and the first UL authorization. The first SSB is the SSB associated with the first beam used by the UE to transmit the first message; the first beam is the beam through which the UE transmits the first message.

[0301] In some embodiments, when the UE enters the RRC connected state from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC establishment request message, and the second information is the UE's identification information.

[0302] In some embodiments, when the UE enters the RRC connected state from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC connection recovery request message, and the second information is the bit of the recovery reason or the UE's identification information.

[0303] In some embodiments, when the UE restores the radio link through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC re-establishment request message, and the second information is the re-establishment reason, the UE's identification information, or the cell identifier.

[0304] In some embodiments, Msg3 is the UE's response to Msg2 and is the third message in the random access procedure.

[0305] The third message is the Connection Request message, which contains more identity information about the UE and the reason for establishing the connection (such as call initialization, paging response, etc.).

[0306] S2405: The network device sends the fourth message to the UE.

[0307] In some embodiments, the network device sends a fourth message to the UE based on the third message.

[0308] In some embodiments, Msg4 is a connection setup message sent by the base station to the UE, which is a response to Msg3.

[0309] In some embodiments, parameters required to establish an RRC connection are included, such as security algorithm configuration, instructions for establishing an RRC connection, and other configuration information.

[0310] In some embodiments, the network device uses the first beam to send a fourth message to the UE.

[0311] In some embodiments, the network device determines one or more second random access radio network temporary identifiers (RA-RNTIs) based on the number or index of each SSB in the first SSB subset associated with the first RO; in the second message, the second RA-RNTIs associated with different first UL grants are different. The network device determines the first RNTI from the second RA-RNTI based on the second UL grant used by the UE to send the third message; based on the first RA-RNTI, it determines the first beam selected by the UE. Here, the first beam is the good beam.

[0312] In some embodiments, after the network device determines the first beam based on the UL authorization used in the third message, it can use the first beam to send the fourth message to the UE.

[0313] S2406: The UE sends the fifth message to the network device.

[0314] In some embodiments, Msg5 is sent by the UE to the base station as a response to Msg4. Exemplarily, the fifth message is used to receive the fourth message and may contain other control information.

[0315] In some embodiments, after the network device determines the first beam, the network device will send downlink transmissions on the first beam, for example, sending a fourth message, etc.

[0316] After successfully establishing an RRC connection, the network device will send downlink transmissions to the UE on the previously determined first beam.

[0317] The downlink transmission may include downlink signaling (for further configuration or control instructions) and / or downlink service data (user data or application data).

[0318] As shown in Figure 3A, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides a random access method, which is executed by a UE. The method may include:

[0319] S3101: Receive configuration information.

[0320] In some embodiments, the UE receives configuration information sent by the network device.

[0321] In some embodiments, one or more of the UE, network device, and configuration information can be referred to in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2A.

[0322] S3102: Send the first message.

[0323] In some embodiments, the UE uses the first RO to send a first message to the network device.

[0324] In some embodiments, the first message includes a random access preamble randomly selected by the UE.

[0325] In some embodiments, the descriptions of the UE, the first RO, and the random access preamble, etc., can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2A.

[0326] S3103: Receive the second message.

[0327] In some embodiments, the UE receives a second message sent by the network device.

[0328] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the second message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2A.

[0329] S3104: Send a third message.

[0330] In some embodiments, the third message includes the first information.

[0331] In some embodiments, the UE sends a third message to the network device.

[0332] In some embodiments, the descriptions of the third message, UE, and network device can refer to the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2A.

[0333] S3105: Received fourth message.

[0334] In some embodiments, the UE receives a fourth message sent by the network device.

[0335] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the fourth message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2A.

[0336] S3106: Send the fifth message.

[0337] In some embodiments, the UE sends a fifth message to the network device.

[0338] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the fifth message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2A.

[0339] As shown in Figure 3B, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides a random access method, which is executed by a UE. The method may include:

[0340] S3201: Receive configuration information.

[0341] In some embodiments, the UE receives configuration information sent by the network device.

[0342] In some embodiments, one or more of the UE, network device, and configuration information can be referred to in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2B.

[0343] S3202: Send the first message.

[0344] In some embodiments, the UE uses the first RO to send a first message to the network device.

[0345] In some embodiments, the first message includes a random access preamble randomly selected by the UE.

[0346] In some embodiments, the descriptions of the UE, the first RO, and the random access preamble, etc., can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2B.

[0347] S3203: Receive the second message.

[0348] In some embodiments, the UE receives a second message sent by the network device.

[0349] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the second message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2B.

[0350] S3204: Send a third message.

[0351] In some embodiments, the third message includes the first information.

[0352] In some embodiments, the UE sends a third message to the network device.

[0353] In some embodiments, the descriptions of the third message, UE, and network device can refer to the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2B.

[0354] S3205: Received fourth message.

[0355] In some embodiments, the UE receives a fourth message sent by the network device.

[0356] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the fourth message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2B.

[0357] S3206: Send the fifth message.

[0358] In some embodiments, the fifth message includes the first message.

[0359] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the fifth message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2B.

[0360] S3207: Receive downlink transmission.

[0361] In some embodiments, the UE receives downlink transmissions sent by the network device.

[0362] In some embodiments, the UE receives downlink transmissions on the first beam.

[0363] In some embodiments, the relevant descriptions of the UE, network device, and downlink transmission can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2B.

[0364] As shown in Figure 3C, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides a random access method, which is executed by a UE. The method may include:

[0365] S3301: Receive configuration information.

[0366] In some embodiments, the UE receives configuration information sent by the network device.

[0367] In some embodiments, one or more of the UE, network device, and configuration information can be referred to in the embodiment corresponding to FIG2C.

[0368] S3302: Send the first message.

[0369] In some embodiments, the UE uses the first RO to send a first message to the network device.

[0370] In some embodiments, the first message includes a random access preamble randomly selected by the UE.

[0371] In some embodiments, the UE, the first RO, and the random access preamble, etc., can be described in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2C.

[0372] S3203: Receive the second message.

[0373] In some embodiments, the UE receives a second message sent by the network device.

[0374] In some embodiments, the second message includes one or more first UL authorizations. Different first UL authorizations are associated with different first RA-RNTIs.

[0375] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the second message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2C.

[0376] S3204: Send a third message using the second UL authorization associated with the first RA-RNTI.

[0377] In some embodiments, the third message includes the first information.

[0378] In some embodiments, the UE sends a third message to the network device.

[0379] In some embodiments, the descriptions of the third message, UE, and network device can refer to the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2C.

[0380] S3205: Received fourth message.

[0381] In some embodiments, the UE receives a fourth message sent by the network device.

[0382] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the fourth message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2C.

[0383] S3206: Send the fifth message.

[0384] In some embodiments, the fifth message includes the first message.

[0385] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the fifth message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2C.

[0386] As shown in Figure 3D, this embodiment of the disclosure provides a random access method, which is executed by a UE. The method may include:

[0387] S3401: Receive configuration information.

[0388] In some embodiments, the UE receives configuration information sent by the network device.

[0389] In some embodiments, one or more of the UE, network device, and configuration information can be referred to in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2D.

[0390] S3402: Send the first message.

[0391] In some embodiments, the UE uses the first RO to send a first message to the network device.

[0392] In some embodiments, the first message includes a random access preamble randomly selected by the UE.

[0393] In some embodiments, the descriptions of the UE, the first RO, and the random access preamble, etc., can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2D.

[0394] S3403: Receive the second message.

[0395] In some embodiments, the UE receives a second message sent by the network device.

[0396] In some embodiments, the second message includes one or more first UL authorizations. Different first UL authorizations are associated with different first RA-RNTIs.

[0397] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the second message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2D.

[0398] S3404: Send a third message using the second UL authorization associated with the first SSB.

[0399] In some embodiments, the third message includes the first information.

[0400] In some embodiments, the UE sends a third message to the network device.

[0401] In some embodiments, the descriptions of the third message, UE, and network device can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2D.

[0402] S3405: ​​Received fourth message.

[0403] In some embodiments, the UE receives a fourth message sent by the network device.

[0404] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the fourth message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2D.

[0405] S3406: Send the fifth message.

[0406] In some embodiments, the fifth message includes the first message.

[0407] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the fifth message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2D.

[0408] As shown in Figure 4A, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides a random access method, executed by a network device. The method may include:

[0409] S4101: Send configuration information.

[0410] In some embodiments, the UE sends configuration information to the network device.

[0411] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the configuration information can be found in any of the embodiments described in Figures 2A to 2D.

[0412] S4102: Receive the first message.

[0413] In some embodiments, the network device receives a first message sent by the UE.

[0414] In some embodiments, the network device receives a first message sent by the UE using a first RO.

[0415] In some embodiments, the first message may be any message carrying a random access preamble.

[0416] S4103: Send the second message.

[0417] In some embodiments, a second message is sent on the second beam associated with each RO that receives the first message.

[0418] In some embodiments, the network device sends a second message to the UE.

[0419] S4104: Receive third message.

[0420] In some embodiments, the UE receives a third message sent by the network device.

[0421] In some embodiments, the third message includes the first information.

[0422] In some embodiments, the relevant descriptions of the third message and / or the first information can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2A.

[0423] S4105: Send the fourth message.

[0424] In some embodiments, the network device uses the first beam to send a fourth message to the UE.

[0425] In some embodiments, the relevant descriptions of the fourth message and / or the first beam can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2A.

[0426] S4106: Received the fifth message.

[0427] In some embodiments, the network device receives a fifth message sent by the UE.

[0428] As shown in Figure 4B, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides a random access method, executed by a network device. The method may include:

[0429] S4201: Send configuration information.

[0430] In some embodiments, the UE sends configuration information to the network device.

[0431] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the configuration information can be found in any of the embodiments described in Figures 2B to 2D.

[0432] S4202: Received the first message.

[0433] In some embodiments, the network device receives a first message sent by the UE.

[0434] In some embodiments, the network device receives a first message sent by the UE using a first RO.

[0435] In some embodiments, the first message may be any message carrying a random access preamble.

[0436] S4203: Send the second message.

[0437] In some embodiments, a second message is sent on the second beam associated with each RO that receives the first message.

[0438] In some embodiments, the network device sends a second message to the UE.

[0439] S4204: Receive third message.

[0440] In some embodiments, the UE receives a third message sent by the network device.

[0441] In some embodiments, the third message includes the first information.

[0442] In some embodiments, the relevant descriptions of the third message and / or the first information can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2B.

[0443] S4205: Send the fourth message.

[0444] In some embodiments, the network device uses the first beam to send a fourth message to the UE.

[0445] In some embodiments, the N second beams associated with the first RO that receive the first message send a fourth message to the UE.

[0446] In some embodiments, the relevant descriptions of the fourth message and / or the first beam can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2B.

[0447] S4206: Received the fifth message.

[0448] In some embodiments, the network device receives a fifth message sent by the UE.

[0449] In some embodiments, the fifth message includes the first message.

[0450] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the fifth message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2B.

[0451] In some embodiments, the UE may also transmit downlink data. After receiving the fifth message, the UE transmits downlink data using the first beam according to the first information in the fifth message.

[0452] In some embodiments, the UE sends scheduling information and / or service data to the network device.

[0453] In some embodiments, the relevant description of downlink transmission can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2B.

[0454] As shown in Figure 4C, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides a random access method, executed by a network device. The method may include:

[0455] S4301: Send configuration information.

[0456] In some embodiments, the UE sends configuration information to the network device.

[0457] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the configuration information can be found in any of the embodiments described in Figures 2C to 2D.

[0458] S4302: Receive the first message.

[0459] In some embodiments, the network device receives a first message sent by the UE.

[0460] In some embodiments, the network device receives a first message sent by the UE using a first RO.

[0461] In some embodiments, the first message may be any message carrying a random access preamble.

[0462] S4303: Send the second message.

[0463] In some embodiments, a second message is sent on the second beam associated with each RO that receives the first message.

[0464] In some embodiments, the network device sends a second message to the UE.

[0465] S4304: Receive third message.

[0466] In some embodiments, the UE receives a third message sent by the network device.

[0467] In some embodiments, the third message includes the first information.

[0468] The first beam determined by the UE is determined based on the second RA-RNTI corresponding to the first UL authorization used in the third message.

[0469] In some embodiments, the relevant descriptions of the third message and / or the first information can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2C.

[0470] S4305: Use the first beam to send the fourth message.

[0471] In some embodiments, the network device uses the first beam to send a fourth message to the UE.

[0472] In some embodiments, the relevant descriptions of the fourth message and / or the first beam can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2C.

[0473] S4306: Received the fifth message.

[0474] In some embodiments, the network device receives a fifth message sent by the UE.

[0475] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the fifth message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2C.

[0476] As shown in Figure 4D, this embodiment of the disclosure provides a random access method, executed by a network device. The method may include:

[0477] S4401: Send configuration information.

[0478] In some embodiments, the UE sends configuration information to the network device.

[0479] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the configuration information can be found in any of the embodiments described in Figures 2C to 2D.

[0480] S4402: Received the first message.

[0481] In some embodiments, the network device receives a first message sent by the UE.

[0482] In some embodiments, the network device receives a first message sent by the UE using a first RO.

[0483] In some embodiments, the first message may be any message carrying a random access preamble.

[0484] S4403: Send the second message.

[0485] In some embodiments, a second message is sent on the second beam associated with each RO that receives the first message.

[0486] In some embodiments, the network device sends a second message to the UE.

[0487] S4404: Receive third message.

[0488] In some embodiments, the UE receives a third message sent by the network device.

[0489] In some embodiments, the third message includes the first information.

[0490] The message was sent using the second UL authorization. The second UL authorization is one of the first UL authorizations.

[0491] In some embodiments, the second UL authorization is associated with the first SSB.

[0492] In some embodiments, the first beam determined by the UE is determined based on the first UL authorization used in the third message.

[0493] In some embodiments, the relevant descriptions of the third message and / or the first information can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2C.

[0494] S4405: Send the fourth message using the first beam.

[0495] In some embodiments, the network device uses the first beam to send a fourth message to the UE.

[0496] In some embodiments, the relevant descriptions of the fourth message and / or the first beam can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2C.

[0497] S4406: Received the fifth message.

[0498] In some embodiments, the network device receives a fifth message sent by the UE.

[0499] In some embodiments, the relevant description of the fifth message can be found in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 2C.

[0500] In some embodiments, the network device may also transmit downlink transmissions. For example, downlink transmissions are transmitted to the UE on a defined first beam.

[0501] Referring to Figure 1E, in some embodiments, each cell may have 64 random access preambles. Typically, a portion of these preambles need to be reserved for other purposes. The remaining preambles need to be grouped according to the number of Service Blocks (SSBs) associated with a single RO, with each group corresponding to one SSB. Within the preambles corresponding to an SSB, further distinctions are made between group A, group B, and a dedicated preamble for non-contention-based random access. This makes the limited 64 preambles very scarce, especially when the number of SSBs associated with a RO is large.

[0502] In some scenarios where a single RO is associated with two SSBs, UE1 and UE2 each select that RO to initiate random access. In this case, their calculated RA-RNTIs are the same because both UEs initiated random access using the same RO resource. When the network responds with a RAR, it needs to send Msg2RAR on the beams corresponding to SSB1 and SSB2 respectively, because UE1 and UE2 have indicated that the DL-selected beams are the beams corresponding to SSB1 and SSB2, respectively.

[0503] Furthermore, if the number of SSBs associated with an RO is large, the number of random access preambles allocated to each SSB will be small. As technology advances, the number of random access preambles that a UE can detect on RO resources will increase, leading to insufficient random access preambles per SSB. When there are a large number of UEs, this will result in limited RACH capacity, failing to reach the upper limit of the base station's hardware capabilities.

[0504] In future IoT scenarios, with massive connectivity and the 6G spectrum primarily at high frequencies, the number of beams will increase, limiting the number of random access preambles. How to efficiently utilize these limited random access preambles is a crucial issue to consider in 6G IoT scenarios.

[0505] In this embodiment of the disclosure, instead of using a random access preamble to distinguish different SSBs, a direct or indirect method is employed, using Msg3 to indicate the good DL beam, which is then used by the DL scheduling network to select the correct DL beam. This saves on the random access preamble, which can further increase the RACH capacity limit. As shown in Figure 1J, the good beam information can be carried using Msg3. Exemplarily, the good beam information here is one of the aforementioned first pieces of information.

[0506] On the network side, only the SSB-per-RO configuration needs to be set; the associated random access preamble does not need to be configured. This means the random access preamble will not be further grouped according to the number of SSBs associated with each RO. Therefore, the configuration of this parameter changes as follows:

[0507] ssb-perRACH-Occasion ENUMERATED{oneEighth, oneFourth, oneHalf, one, two, four, eight, sixteen}

[0508] The UE selects the RO, sends Msg1 based on the random access preamble, and then receives Msg2. The network receives Msg1, sends back Msg2, and then sends Msg2 in each SSB direction within the SSB set associated with that RO. Note: Future 6G technologies may expand the size of Msg3, making it possible to carry more information in Msg3.

[0509] Option 1: The UE sends Msg3. Msg3 further indicates which specific SSB in the SSB subset is the UE's good downlink beam. The good beam is indicated by the SSB index. If the size of Msg3 is limited, its size remains unchanged, but a portion of the UE ID is placed in Msg5 to make room for the SSB index.

[0510] In some embodiments, the ng-5G-S-TMSI in the RRCSetupRequest is reserved with 35 bits, and 4 bits are reserved for indicating the good SSB.

[0511] In some embodiments, the resumeCause in RRCResumeRequest is placed in Msg5, with the empty bit space indicating the SSB. Alternatively, a larger RRCResumeRequest message (72 bits) can be used directly.

[0512] The ReestablishmentCause in the RRCReestablishmentRequest or the high - order part bits of the PCI are put into Msg5, and the vacated bit space indicates a good SSB.

[0513] It should be noted that: here, a good SSB can be directly indicated by the SSB index, or by indicating the sequence number of the SSB corresponding to the RO set according to the SSB index in ascending order.

[0514] Option 2: The UE sends Msg3, and the network side replies with Msg4, also in the direction of the SSB in the SSB subset corresponding to this RO. The UE sends Msg5, and the Msg5 further indicates which specific SSB in the SSB subset is the good downlink beam for this UE. The good beam is identified by the SSB index.

[0515] Option 3: If an RO is associated with 2 SSBs, then there are also two RA - RNTIs corresponding to this RO. When calculating the RA - RNTI, different beams are considered, and different beams result in different RA = RNTI. Different SSBs give different RARs, different Msg3 scheduling, and different resources used based on Msg3, to determine the good beam.

[0516] RA - RNTI = 1 + s_id+14×t_id + 14×80×f_id+14×80×8×ul_carrier_id+14×80×8×2×SSB_order_index.

[0517] Where, 0≤SSB_order_index < SSB_per_RO. The indexes or numbers of the SSBs corresponding to the same RO are arranged in ascending order.

[0518] Option 4: Two UL authorizations are given in the RAR, corresponding to different SSBs in the SSBs associated with the RO, and different resources used based on Msg3 are used to determine the good beam.

[0519] Through the present invention, instead of using random access preambles to distinguish different SSBs, a direct or indirect method is adopted to indicate the good DL beam through Msg3 for the network side to select the correct DL beam for subsequent DL scheduling. The saved random access preambles can further increase the upper limit of the RACH capacity.

[0520] Adopt a direct or indirect method to indicate the good DL beam through Msg3.

[0521] Indicate the good DL beam through Msg5.

[0522] Msg2 RAR is transmitted using beam scanning within the SSB set corresponding to the selected RO.

[0523] In some embodiments, the term "information" may be used interchangeably with terms such as "message," "signal," "signaling," "report," "configuration," "indication," "instruction," "command," "channel," "parameter," "field," and "data."

[0524] In 6G and future IoT scenarios, the number of random access preambles becomes particularly scarce due to the increased number of beams and the higher frequency of spectrum resources. To efficiently utilize the limited number of random access preambles, embodiments of this disclosure propose a method for distinguishing different synchronization signal broadcast blocks (SSBs) without relying on preambles.

[0525] To address the above issues, one or more of the following methods are provided for implementation.

[0526] Cancel the association between the preamble and the SSB in the packet:

[0527] On the network side, only the ssb-perRACH-Occasion parameter is configured to specify the number of SSBs associated with each random access opportunity (RO).

[0528] Random access preambles are no longer grouped according to the number of SSBs associated with the RO, thus saving preamble resources.

[0529] The DL beam is indicated via Msg3:

[0530] After sending Msg1, the UE receives Msg2 (Random Access Response) sent by the network side.

[0531] The UE indicates, directly or indirectly, in Msg3 which SSB is its downlink good beam. This can be achieved by carrying the SSB index or sequence number in Msg3.

[0532] If the size of Msg3 is limited, you can consider putting part of the UE ID into Msg5 to free up space for indicating SSB.

[0533] Msg2 beam scanning transmission:

[0534] After receiving Msg1, the network side sends Msg2 in each SSB direction of the SSB set associated with RO.

[0535] This ensures that Msg2 can be received regardless of which SSB the UE selects as the good beam.

[0536] Beam indication for Msg4 and Msg5:

[0537] In some embodiments, the UE may further indicate the good beam in Msg5 to provide additional confirmation.

[0538] When replying to Msg4, the network side may also consider sending the message in the SSB direction of the SSB subset corresponding to RO to further confirm the UE's beam selection.

[0539] Calculation of RA-RNTI and transmission of RAR:

[0540] When an RO is associated with multiple SSBs, different RA-RNTIs can be calculated based on the different selected beams.

[0541] This allows the network side to send different RARs for each SSB and schedule different resources in Msg3, thereby determining a good beam.

[0542] Another approach is to specify two or more UL grants in the RAR, each corresponding to a different SSB in the associated SSB in the RO. The UE determines the optimal beam based on the resources used by Msg3.

[0543] The method proposed in this disclosure can efficiently utilize limited random access preamble resources while ensuring that the network side can correctly select DL beams for subsequent scheduling. This not only increases the capacity limit of RACH but also provides strong support for massive connections in 6G and future IoT scenarios.

[0544] When implementing these strategies, careful consideration must be given to factors such as the size limitations of Msg3 and Msg5, the calculation method of RA-RNTI, and the transmission method of RAR to ensure system stability and reliability. Furthermore, as technology continues to evolve, these methods also require ongoing optimization and improvement to adapt to the needs and challenges of future networks.

[0545] In some embodiments, the terms "acquire," "get," "obtain," "receive," "transmit," "bidirectional transmission," and "send and / or receive" can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, acquiring from protocols, acquiring from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation. Protocols include, for example, at least one of 3GPP protocols, Wi-Fi protocols, and audio and / or video protocols. In some embodiments, the term "send" can be used interchangeably with terms such as "transmit," "report," and "transfer."

[0546] This disclosure also provides apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the UE in any of the above methods. Alternatively, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, or a core network device) in any of the above methods.

[0547] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through a configuration file, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0548] In this disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a type of microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU). Unit, DPU, etc.

[0549] As shown in Figure 5A, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides a UE, wherein the UE includes:

[0550] The sending module 5101 is configured to send a first message to the network device, the first message being used to request random access;

[0551] The receiving module 5102 is configured to receive a second message sent by the network device, the second message including one or more first uplink UL authorizations;

[0552] The sending module 5101 is configured to send a third message to the network device based on the first UL authorization;

[0553] The receiving module 5102 is configured to receive a fourth message sent by the network device based on the third message;

[0554] The sending module 5101 is configured to receive the fourth message and send a fifth message to the network device.

[0555] In some embodiments, the UE further includes a processing module.

[0556] In some embodiments, the transmitting module and / or receiving module may correspond to the network interface and / or transceiver antenna of the network device.

[0557] In some embodiments, the processing module can be used by a network device to perform information processing-related steps in any random access method.

[0558] In some embodiments, the sending module can be used by a network device to perform information sending-related steps in any random access method.

[0559] In some embodiments, the receiving module can be used by a network device to perform information transmission-related steps in any random access method.

[0560] In some embodiments, the third message includes first information; or, the fifth message includes first information; the first information is used to indicate a first synchronization signal broadcast block (SSB); the first SSB is associated with a first beam selected by the UE.

[0561] In some embodiments, the first information includes at least one of the following:

[0562] An SSB index is used to indicate the first SSB;

[0563] The first number is used to indicate the number of the first SSB in the entire set of SSBs;

[0564] The second number is used to indicate the number of the first SSB in the first SSB subset, which is associated with the first access locator (RO); the first RO is the RO in which the UE sends the first message.

[0565] In some embodiments, where the third message includes the first information, the third message includes the second information; or,

[0566] When the third message includes the first information, the third message carries the first part of the second information, and the fifth message carries the second part of the second information.

[0567] In some embodiments, when the UE enters the RRC connected state from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC establishment request message, and the second information is the UE's identification information; or,

[0568] When the UE enters the RRC connected state from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC connection restoration request message, and the second information is either the restoration reason bit or the UE's identification information; or,

[0569] When the UE restores the radio link through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC re-establishment request message, and the second information is the re-establishment reason, the UE's identification information, or the cell identifier.

[0570] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to determine a first random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) based on the index or number of a first SSB; the first SSB is the SSB associated with the first beam used by the UE to send the first message; the first beam is the beam by which the UE sends the first message.

[0571] The processing module is configured to determine a second UL authorization, which is the UL authorization associated with the first RA-RNTI from the first UL authorization. The sending module is configured to send a third message to the network device based on the second UL authorization.

[0572] In some embodiments, the SSBs associated with different first UL grants are different; the sending module is configured to determine the second UL grant associated with the first SSB;

[0573] The sending module is configured to send the third message to the network device using the second UL authorization; the first SSB is the SSB associated with the first beam used by the UE to send the first message; the first beam is the beam by which the UE sends the first message.

[0574] In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive configuration information sent by the network device, the configuration information including a first parameter but not including a second parameter; the first parameter is used to determine the SSB associated with each RO; the second parameter is used to determine the RO and / or SSB associated with the random access preamble.

[0575] In some embodiments, the receiving module is configured to receive downlink transmissions sent by a network device on the first beam.

[0576] As shown in Figure 5B, this embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network device, wherein the network device includes:

[0577] The receiving module 5201 is configured to receive a first message sent by the user equipment (UE), the first message being used to request random access;

[0578] The sending module 5202 is configured to send a second message to the UE, the second message including one or more first uplink UL authorizations;

[0579] The receiving module 5201 is configured to receive a third message sent by the UE based on the first UL authorization;

[0580] The sending module 5202 is configured to send a fourth message to the UE based on the third message;

[0581] The receiving module 5201 is configured to receive a fifth message sent by the UE after receiving the fourth message.

[0582] In some embodiments, the network device may further include a processing module. In some embodiments, the transmitting module and / or receiving module may correspond to the network interface and / or transceiver antenna of the network device. In some embodiments, the processing module may be used by the network device to perform information processing-related steps in any random access method. In some embodiments, the transmitting module may be used by the network device to perform information transmission-related steps in any random access method. In some embodiments, the receiving module may be used by the network device to perform information transmission-related steps in any random access method.

[0583] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send the second message using N second beams, the N second beams being associated with an SSB in a first synchronization signal broadcast block (SSB) subset; each SSB in the first SSB subset is associated with a first random access opportunity (RO); the first RO is the RO in which the UE sends the first message.

[0584] In some embodiments, the third message includes first information; the first information is used to indicate a first synchronization signal broadcast block (SSB); the first SSB is associated with a first beam selected by the UE.

[0585] In some embodiments, sending a fourth message to the UE based on the third message includes:

[0586] The fourth message is transmitted using the N second beams.

[0587] In some embodiments, the fifth message includes first information; the first information is used to indicate a first synchronization signal broadcast block (SSB); the first SSB is associated with a first beam selected by the UE.

[0588] In some embodiments, the processing module is configured to determine one or more second random access radio network temporary identifiers (RA-RNTIs) based on the number or index of each SSB associated with the RO; in a second message, the second RA-RNTIs associated with different first UL grants are different; based on the second UL grant used by the UE to send a third message, a first RNTI is determined from the second RA-RNTIs; the second UL grant is the UL grant associated with the first RA-RNTI in the first UL grant; and based on the first RA-RNTI, a first beam selected by the UE is determined.

[0589] In some embodiments, the SSB associated with different first UL grants is different; the processing module is configured to determine the first SSB based on the second UL grant used by the UE to send the third message; and to determine the first beam selected by the UE based on the first SSB.

[0590] In some embodiments, the sending module is configured to send configuration information to a user equipment (UE), the configuration information including a first parameter but not including a second parameter; the first parameter is used to determine the SSB associated with each RO; the second parameter is used to determine the RO and / or SSB associated with the random access preamble.

[0591] This disclosure also provides a communication device, which may include one or more processors; wherein the processors are configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device to execute a random access method and / or a random access method achievable in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0592] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG6A and / or FIG6B, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8102 may also be located outside the communication device 8100.

[0593] The communication device may be the aforementioned UE or network device. In some embodiments, the network device may be a primary node and / or a secondary node.

[0594] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the communication steps such as sending and receiving in the above method are performed by the transceivers 8103, and other steps are performed by the processor 8101.

[0595] In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0596] Optionally, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more interface circuits 8104, which are connected to the memory 8102. The interface circuits 8104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 8104 can read instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0597] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a UE, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 8100 may not be limited by FIG. 6A. The communication device may be a standalone device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, UE device, smart UE device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0598] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of chip 8200 provided in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 8100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of chip 8200 shown in Figure 6B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0599] Chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201, which are used to invoke instructions to cause chip 8200 to execute any of the above random access methods.

[0600] In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202 connected to memory 8203. Interface circuits 8202 can be used to receive signals from memory 8203 or other devices, and can also be used to send signals to memory 8203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 8202 can read instructions stored in memory 8203 and send those instructions to processor 8201. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, and transceiver can be used interchangeably.

[0601] In some embodiments, chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8203 may be located outside of chip 8200.

[0602] This disclosure also provides a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device 8100, cause the communication device 8100 to perform any of the methods described above. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but it can also be a temporary storage medium.

[0603] This disclosure also provides a program product, which, when executed by a communication device 8100, causes the communication device 8100 to perform any of the above random access methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0604] This disclosure also provides a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above random access methods.

[0605] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the embodiments of this disclosure that follow the general principles of the embodiments of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the embodiments of this disclosure are indicated by the following claims.

[0606] It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from their scope. The scope of the embodiments disclosed herein is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A random access method, wherein, Performed by a user equipment (UE), the method includes: Send a first message to the network device, the first message being used to request random access; Receive a second message sent by the network device, the second message including one or more first uplink UL authorizations; Based on the first UL authorization, a third message is sent to the network device; Receive the fourth message sent by the network device based on the third message; Upon receiving the fourth message, a fifth message is sent to the network device.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The third message includes first information; or, the fifth message includes first information; the first information is used to indicate a first synchronization signal broadcast block (SSB); the first SSB is associated with a first beam selected by the UE.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The first information includes at least one of the following: An SSB index is used to indicate the first SSB; The first number is used to indicate the number of the first SSB in the entire set of SSBs; The second number is used to indicate the number of the first SSB in the first SSB subset, which is associated with the first access opportunity RO. The first RO is the RO that sent the first message to the UE.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, If the third message includes the first information, then the third message includes the second information; or, When the third message includes the first information, the third message carries a first part of the second information, and the fifth message carries a second part of the second information.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein, When the UE enters the RRC connected state from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle state through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC establishment request message, and the second information is the UE's identification information; or, When the UE enters the RRC connected state from the Radio Resource Control (RRC) inactive state through a random access procedure, the third message is an RRC connection restoration request message, and the second information is the restoration reason or the UE's identification information; or, When the UE uses a random access procedure to restore the radio link, the third message is an RRC re-establishment request message, and the second information is the re-establishment reason, the UE's identification information, or the cell identifier.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The method further includes: The first random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) is determined based on the index or number of the first SSB; the first SSB is the SSB associated with the first beam; the first beam is the beam through which the UE sends the first message; The step of sending a third message to the network device based on the first UL authorization includes: Determine a second UL authorization, which is the UL authorization associated with the first RA-RNTI in the first UL authorization; A third message is sent to the network device based on the second UL authorization.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The SSB associated with each of the first UL authorizations is different; based on the first UL authorization, a third message is sent to the network device, including: A second UL authorization associated with the first SSB was identified; The third message is sent to the network device using the second UL authorization; the first SSB is the SSB associated with the first beam used by the UE to send the first message; the first beam is the beam by which the UE sends the first message.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The method further includes: The system receives configuration information sent by the network device, the configuration information including a first parameter but not including a second parameter; the first parameter is used to determine the SSB associated with each RO; the second parameter is used to determine the RO and / or SSB associated with the random access preamble.

9. According to claim 2, 6, or 7, wherein, The method further includes: Receive downlink transmissions sent by network devices on the first beam.

10. A random access method, wherein, Performed by a network device, the method includes: Receive a first message sent by a user equipment (UE), the first message being used to request random access; Send a second message to the UE, the second message including one or more first uplink UL authorizations; Receive the third message sent by the UE based on the first UL authorization; Based on the third message, a fourth message is sent to the UE; Receive the fifth message sent by the UE after receiving the fourth message.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, Sending the second message to the UE includes: The second message is transmitted using N second beams, wherein the N second beams are associated with SSBs in the first synchronization signal broadcast block SSB subset; each SSB in the first SSB subset is associated with a first random access opportunity (RO); the first RO is the RO in which the UE transmits the first message.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The third message includes first information; the first information is used to indicate a first synchronization signal broadcast block (SSB); the first SSB is associated with a first beam selected by the UE.

13. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The step of sending a fourth message to the UE based on the third message includes: The fourth message is transmitted using the N second beams.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The fifth message includes first information; the first information is used to indicate a first synchronization signal broadcast block (SSB); the first SSB is associated with a first beam selected by the UE.

15. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The method includes: Based on the number or index of each SSB associated with the RO, one or more second random access radio network temporary identifiers RA-RNTI are determined; in the second message, the first UL authorization associated with different second RA-RNTIs is different; Based on the first UL authorization used by the UE to send the third message, the first RN-RNTI is determined from the second RA-RNTI; the second UL authorization is the UL authorization associated with the first RA-RNTI in the first UL authorization; The first beam selected by the UE is determined based on the first RA-RNTI.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein, The method further includes: (The SSB associated with the first UL authorization is different.) The first SSB is determined based on the second UL authorization used by the UE to send the third message; The first beam selected by the UE is determined based on the first SSB.

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein, The method further includes: Configuration information is sent to the user equipment (UE), the configuration information including a first parameter but not including a second parameter; the first parameter is used to determine the SSB associated with each RO; the second parameter is used to determine the RO and / or SSB associated with the random access preamble.

18. According to claim 11, 13, 14 or 15, wherein, The method further includes: Downlink transmission is sent to the UE on the first beam.

19. A user equipment (UE), wherein, The UE includes: The sending module is configured to send a first message to the network device, the first message being used to request random access; The receiving module is configured to receive a second message sent by the network device, the second message including one or more first uplink UL authorizations; The sending module is configured to send a third message to the network device based on the first UL authorization; The receiving module is configured to receive a fourth message sent by the network device based on the third message; The sending module is configured to receive the fourth message and send a fifth message to the network device.

20. A network device, wherein, The network device includes: The receiving module is configured to receive a first message sent by a user equipment (UE), the first message being used to request random access; The sending module is configured to send a second message to the UE, the second message including one or more first uplink UL authorizations; The receiving module is configured to receive a third message sent by the UE based on the first UL authorization; The sending module is configured to send a fourth message to the UE based on the third message; The receiving module is configured to receive a fifth message sent by the UE after receiving the fourth message.

21. A communication system, wherein, The communication system includes: User equipment (UE) is configured to perform the random access method according to any one of claims 1 to 9; A network device configured to perform the random access method according to any one of claims 10 to 18.

22. A communication device, wherein, The communication device includes: One or more processors; The processor is configured to invoke instructions to cause the communication device to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 or 10 to 18.

23. A storage medium, wherein, The storage medium stores instructions that, when executed on the communication device, cause the communication device to perform any one of the random access methods of claims 1 to 9 or 10 to 18.

24. A program product, wherein, The program product includes a computer program that, when executed by a communication device, enables the communication device to implement the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 or 10 to 18.

Images